Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is aware that tonight's Europa League clash with Hamburg will be a difficult task. The Cottagers meet the Germans in the semi-final first leg at Nordbank Arena after a 27-hour sojourn across the mainland due to the fact that many flights in and Europa have been cancelled because of volcanic ash in the air.

Schwarzer knows that the travel conditions ahead of the match will be taxing on the Fulham players and is under no illusions that this fixture will be extremely tough for Roy Hodgson's men.

"We're fighting an uphill battle, really, with the trip that we've made so it's going to be really tough for us, but we'll try and do what we can," said Schwarzer.

"Hamburg are expected to get to the final now. They are the favourites to get through, even more so with the circumstances that have come about.

"The atmosphere on the journey has been very good though. We have a very good relationship anyway in the team.

"A really long trip can either pull the team part or to the contrary and I'd say it's pulled us all together."